Slay of guard linked to Camarines Norte mine feud

DAET, Camarines Norte—Authorities are linking the killing of a guard at an iron and copper mining site in Jose Panganiban, Camarines Norte, to a dispute between the mining firm operating in the site and owners of the land where the mining site is.

Ranel Evangelista, 26, was killed after 27 armed men assaulted his post at dawn on Tuesday, according to Senior Insp. Jason Colico, police chief of Jose Panganiban.

The provincial police arrested 24 of the 27 suspects, who claimed to be members of a security agency.

Police are checking if the suspects were working for the owners of the land, but Camarines Norte Gov. Edgardo Tallado said the firm operating in the site is having a feud with the landowners.

Tallado said the landowners want to evict the firm from the site while the firm is crying breach of agreement.

The governor said he has advised the mining firm and the landowners to bring their fight to court instead of resorting to bloodshed.